Greta Thunberg: German police release climate activist after detention at mine protest

Activist was carried away by three officers and held away from edge of mine

Greta Thunberg detained by German police

Police officers carry Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg (C) out of a group of demonstrators and activists in Erkelenz, western Germany, on January 17, 2023, as demonstrations continue against a coal mine extension in the nearby village of Luetzerath.  - Already abandoned by its original residents, Luetzerath has become a symbol for resistance against fossil fuels.  Energy giant RWE has permission for the expansion of the mine under a compromise agreement that also includes that RWE will stop producing electricity with coal in western Germany by 2030 -- eight years earlier than previously planned.  With Russia's gas supply cut in the wake of the invasion of Ukraine, Germany has had recourse to coal, firing up mothballed power plants.  (Photo by Federico Gambarini  /  dpa  /  AFP)  /  Germany OUT
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German police detained climate campaigner Greta Thunberg on Tuesday along with other activists during protests against the demolition of a village to make way for a coal mine expansion.

Ms Thunberg, who has now been released, was held while protesting against the open-cast coal mine of Garzweiler 2, about 9km from the village of Luetzerath.

Police had warned that the group would be removed by force if they did not move away from the edge of the mine.

The village in the western state of North Rhine-Westphalia is being cleared to allow for the expansion of the mine.

The mine's owner, RWE, agreed with the government that it could demolish Luetzerath in exchange for its faster exit from coal and the saving of five villages originally slated for destruction.

Activists have said Germany should not be mining any more lignite, or brown coal, and should focus on expanding renewable energy.

Riot police backed by bulldozers removed activists from buildings in the abandoned village last week, with only a few left in trees and an underground tunnel by last weekend.

But protesters including Ms Thunberg remained at the site staging a sit-in into Tuesday.

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"We are going to use force to bring you to the identity check, so please co-operate," a policeman said to the group, according to Reuters footage.

"Greta Thunberg was part of a group of activists who rushed towards the ledge," a representative for Aachen police told Reuters, adding that one activist had jumped into the mine.

"However, she was then stopped and carried by us with this group out of the immediate danger area to establish their identity."

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Ms Thunberg was carried away by three officers and held by one arm at a spot away from the edge of the mine. She was then escorted back towards police vans.

The Swedish climate activist addressed the about 6,000 protesters who marched towards Luetzerath on Saturday, calling the expansion of the mine a "betrayal of present and future generations".

"Germany is one of the biggest polluters in the world and needs to be held accountable," she said.

Updated: January 18, 2023, 9:43 AM